Tracing Early English LDS Convert Ancestry in England Joni Kesler, AG®, Research Specialist
[email protected] HISTORICAL BACKGROUND • John Wycliff – published the NT Bible into English • William Tyndale – follows up with the complete Bible publication—disseminating copies from Germany to England. • At the martyrdom of Tyndale (1536), he, in the act of dying declared, “Lord, open the King of England’s eyes!” Next year, in 1537, Henry VIII approves the printing of the English Bible! • Bible printing in English, and other languages, plus the subsequent Martin Luther-led Protestant Reformation in Europe, ignites England into a firestorm of Reform and subsequent Protestantism • This wave of Reform, paved the way for a fertile environment for the planting of the restored Gospel’s seed in England • Many early LDS converts on average aligned or joined with at least 4 other religions before joining the Church ENGLAND’S EARLY (LDS) HISTORICAL BACKGROUND: Preston was known anciently by the Romans as “Priest town”. By 1837, it was one of the most religiously diverse towns in just about all of England. First Missionaries began proselytizing 19 July, 1837 at Preston, Lancashire Three ‘waves’ of emigration from England & Great Britain What other significant event began at this time? A: Civil Registration of Births, Marriages and Deaths, July, 1837… 1) 1837-1849 – approx. 11,000 had emigrated 2) 1849-1869 – approx. 20,000 resided in Utah/Idaho – based on census demographics 3) 1869-1887 - ~24,000 resided in Utah/Idaho Local LDS Population Demographics in 19th Century England: The Britain of those days was ripe for a message of hope, and the preaching of the Restored Church of Jesus Christ was timely.